An Evening with Janice Hallett and Louise Swanson: Insights, Laughter and New Reads at Criminally Good Books

On Friday, I took a train to York to attend a book event where Louise Swanson interviewed Janice Hallett about her new book, The Examiner. Check out my review of The Examiner here.

After arriving in York, I walked up to the Minster, grabbed a quick bite to eat, and then headed to Criminally Good Books. The shop, opened in March by the lovely owner Isla, is home to an amazing selection of crime fiction, ranging from cosy mysteries to true crime, and they also have an extensive Agatha Christie collection! As part of the event, the shop was offering 10% off anything bought in-store that day. I picked up a copy of Louise Swanson’s Lights Out, which I’d heard great things about, and so I could get it signed after the talk.

The talk itself was held just around the corner in St. Crux church and had sold out! I had travelled solo, but through Instagram, I’ve joined a fantastic group called Yorkshire Reads, a collective of Yorkshire-based readers and bloggers who meet up regularly. I hadn’t met any of them in person before, but a few of us had mentioned we’d be attending, so outside the venue, I met the lovely Beth, Emma, and Mandy.

The talk itself was brilliant. Isla did a fantastic job introducing them, and it was clear that Louise and Janice already had a great rapport. This made for an interview that flowed effortlessly, and Louise was absolutely hilarious! It was lovely to hear a Hull-area accent as well, since that’s where I was born and lived until I went to university – quite a while ago now! It really made me want to go back for a pattie buttie, chip spice, and a night out at Spiders!

For the talk, we were sat right in the front row, very close to the front, so we were directly in front of the authors. It was great to chat with them beforehand, which made the experience even more comfortable as we were so close.

After the talk, Janice kindly signed and dedicated my proof copy of The Examiner, which I recently won from Viper in a review competition they hosted. I’d already pre-ordered the signed hardback at its publication, so I brought the proof instead! I also had my copy of Murder in Harrogate signed, in which Janice has a short story. Louise signed my copy of Lights Out. We took a couple of photos with the authors and our Yorkshire Reads group, and then said our goodbyes for the evening!

It was a really lovely event. I’ve got quite a few more lined up for the rest of the year, including the Halloween Ball, where the UK Book Blogger Awards are being held. I’m currently longlisted for Rising Star, so fingers crossed! After that, I’ll be seeing M. L. Rio give a talk about Graveyard Shift in Leeds, and finally, I’m heading to Iceland Noir, which I’m incredibly excited about!

Keep reading for a little info about Lights Out and The Examiner.

Lights Out

A state of emergency has been declared in the UK. From now on, at 8pm every night, all electricity cuts out. The Government promises it’s a temporary measure. They promise they are always thinking of your safety.

But for Grace, the darkness is anything but safe.

Someone is coming into her house under its cover every night while she lies in bed upstairs, too terrified to sleep. Someone who knows her past, who knows why she has more reason to fear the dark than most…

And every morning she wakes to a new message from the intruder:

I have you in my sights. Love, The Night

But how can Grace escape, when there’s nowhere safe left to hide?

The Examiner

The mature students of Royal Hastings University’s new art course have been trouble from day one. From acclaimed artist Alyson who seems oddly overqualified, to hapless Patrick who can barely operate design software, and city boy Cameron who blusters his way through assignments. Not to mention Jem, who’s a gifted young sculptor… but cross her at your peril.

The year-long course is blighted by students setting fire to one another’s artwork, a rumoured extra-marital affair and a disastrous road trip. But finally they are given their last assignment: to build an art installation for a local manufacturer. With six students who have nothing in common except their clashing personal agendas, what could possibly go wrong?

The answer is: murder. When the external examiner arrives to assess the students’ coursework, he becomes convinced that a student was killed on the course and that the others covered it up. But is he right? Only a close examination of the evidence will reveal the truth. Your time starts now…